How Does Jem Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank's wisdom can be interpreted as a major theme of the coming-of-age novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This powerful quote flows throughout the novel in the characters and events that takes place in the early 1930s in Maycomb, South Alabama. The narrator's brother, Jem Scout, displays a gradual growth in maturity and understanding from the start of the novel to the end. His life is impacted by institutionalized racism in society juxtaposed of a father who tries to raise his children to the best of his ability. Jem is an excellent example of a character whose transition from childhood to adulthood

. . Mr. Nathan put cement in that tree Atticus, an' he did it to stop us from findin' things —he's crazy, I reckon, like they say, but Atticus, I swear to God he ain't ever harmed us, he ain't ever hurt us, he coulda cut my throat from ear to ear that night but he tried to mend my pants instead . . . he ain't ever hurt us, Atticus— (96)
At this stage in the novel, Jem displays the signs of empathic growth regarding Boo's innocence and injustices that he faces. Additionally, Jem's idea of courage is morphed into a different ideal as he falls dumbstruck after he realizes his father who he previously thought of as talentless father is actually a “dead shot” (129). He understands that Atticus did not tell them about his ability for a reason. Although he tells Scout to keep this information to herself, he is jubilant, exclaiming “Atticus is a gentlemen, just like me!” (131). Later, he backtracks on this prior view of himself when, in a fit of rage, he destroys Mrs. Dubose's garden after she insults Atticus. Jem is proud enough to defend his father's honor, but not above acting violently on it. Consequently, Atticus sends Jem back to apologize, and makes him read to her everyday for a month. A reflecting Scout admits she still wonders what made Jem do it, breaking the bonds of his newly acquired “phase of self-conscious rectitude he had recently entered” (136). After Atticus explains that he made Jem read to her because Atticus wanted Jem to see what real courage was, not the

Jem is transitioning from childhood to adulthood emotionally and physically; by being a moody, hungry teenage boy. Calpurnia even starts to call him “Mister Jem”, representing his change from adolescence to an “adult”. Jem is learning about more and more in school, and tries to explain it to Scout. Although coming across as bossy, he shows an interest in educating and teaching his sister what he has gone through. In the beginning of the following summer, Dill is not there to play games and make up stories with, but one night Scout finds him hiding under her bed. They discover he has run away from home, and Jem tells Dill he should call his parents, and that they’re probably missing him. Then, “Dill’s eyes flickered at Jem, and Jem looked at the floor. Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood. He went out of the room and down the hall. ‘Atticus,’ his voice was distant, ‘can you come here a minute, sir?” (187-188). Jem has essentially betrayed his friend in order to do what he thinks is right. This progressive event emphasizes the differences between Jem and the rest of the children. He is becoming more of a